Odd Nerdrum, Norway’s most prominent painter from the last century, lacks a permanent exhibition space for his works. His wife, Turid Spildo, and his son, Öde S. Nerdrum, intend to do something about this. Together, they plan to convert an old industrial building on Agnes, north of the city of Stavern, into a gallery with a collection of his finest paintings.
An invitation from Sea Park Stavern in 2021 catalysed the idea. “The Sea Park” housing developers were looking for someone who could bring a cultural citadel to the area. For a long time, Turid and Öde have been looking for someone to take the initiative to establish a museum, but they finally decided to take on the job themselves.
– My father’s legacy is unique, not only as a painter but as a teacher as well. I definitely feel a responsibility to preserve and convey what has inspired a generation of painters to return to nature, says Öde.
Turid and Öde do not have experience in museum management. However, they believe that the love and respect they have for his paintings is a more decisive factor to their success.
– The most important consideration is to be aware of what constitutes a good museum experience. I believe the two of us to be amongst the most seasoned museum-goers.
Turid agrees and points to how important the overall atmosphere and environment contributes to the paintings.
– A museum must have a café!
Tron Inge Nilsen, who is the managing director of Sea Park Stavern, has been in close dialogue with Turid and Öde in recent months. They recently landed an agreement for the takeover of the old industrial building. Tron is excited that something special is finally happening in the resort town.
– We are very proud that Nerdrum has chosen the Sea Park as the location for this museum establishment. This will be an exciting attraction of national importance that will give new life to the remains of the old venerable brick buildings of the Agnes match factory.
Turid Spildo and Öde Nerdrum are arranging a press conference that will take place on Thursday 30. March at 1 pm at Pipehuset (Agnes torg 18) to present the project in the premises where it will be built.
Everyone is welcome and invited to the press conference.
Kitsch Meets Art: Nerdrum & Melgaard Exhibition in Oslo
Two worlds collide when the exhibition Nerdrum & Melgaard opens 6 pm Thursday 7th November at Fineart Oslo. The show will include limited edition prints by two of Norway’s most influential and controversial figures in the kitsch and art world respectively. Odd Nerdrum and Bjarne Melgaard represent diametrically different but powerful visions: the former with his classical figuration, focusing on timeless imagery and vulnerability, and the latter with his contemporary, expressive style, tapping into sexuality, identity and the grimness of life. On display will be recent as well as venerable prints that have stood the test of time, original drawings, sculptures and a unique collaborative self-portrait. This double portrait reveals the opposing forms of expression — giving the public an opportunity to closely compare the two. Odd Nerdrum and Bjarne Melgaard agreed last year to do a collaboration. Here together with the gallery owner Rolf Stavnem. Photo: Naina Helén Jåma / VG The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) will be present and cover the opening, which will include opening remarks from the real-estate investor Christian Ringnes and the editor-in-chief of Subjekt, Danby Choi.
Rembrandt’s Melancholy and Classical Values
Do you want to know how the mind of the greatest classical painter of our time works?Do you wonder what “classical values” actually are?And why melancholy is actually that important to us? Odd Nerdrum and his former student Jan-Ove Tuv sit down for a conversation in the building which is the Nerdrum Museum in the making: The old Pipe House at Agnes Square outside of Stavern.With a philosophical approach to painting, the discussion will move beyond the strokes and attempt to explain the meaning of painting. Join a one hour conversation about: • The importance of Rembrandt’s melancholy• Why storytelling is so important to us• Why “modern” values are destructive for classical painters and the audience. The event will take place September 14th at 17:00 – 18:00. Tickets are now available.
Book launch: “Samtaler fra Memorosa” | Korsnes and Nerdrum
A new book by Carl Korsnes, the editor of Sivilisasjonen magazine, will be launched on Thursday 31st of March at Bakgården på Løkken in Oslo. The title of the Norwegian publication is “Samtaler fra Memorosa” and consists of thirteen philosophical dialogues between Korsnes and Odd Nerdrum. Carl Korsnes and Öde Nerdrum (Odd’s son) will both speek at the event. Reviews The philosopher Einar Duenger Bøhn, who wrote a foreword to Odd Nerdrum’s recent painting book published by Fineart Gallery, says the following about Sivilisasjonen’s first book: Korsnes presents a collection of short and beautiful conversations with Nerdrum, which calls for hope that beauty can actually save the world. Einar Duenger Bøhn The poet and model for Odd Nerdrum’s painting Transfiguration wrote with pathos: The dialogues are a tribute to taking pride in one’s craftsmanship. To the intoxication of beauty. To the nobility of creation. Glittering with blink shot anecdotes. Reading through it arouse both the urge to create and the urge to live. Viva Nerdrum. Viva Korsnes.Bertrand Besigye
Norsk bokmål 
English
….et fantastisk tiltak som burde få full tilslutning fra alle bevilgende kulturorganer i landet – men siden Norge ikke er et kulturland og parnassets rødegardister helt sikkert vil vende tommelen ned for dette, vil antakelig en løsning kunne være “en Spleis.”
En nasjonal eller endog internasjonal “Spleis” i storformat….
Flott initiativ!
Så flott! – og vel fortjent. Måtte Nasjonalgalleriet bli neste.
Fantastisk 🙂
Jeg kjører den vei i sommer og håper å få oppleve dettte <3
How exciting! I would love to visit.
Så spennende! Når blir det åpning tro?
Endelig og tiden er moden. Tenk at vi får et sted vi kan oppleve Mesteren’s verk og lære mer om ham og hans virke. En spleis er en god ide’ for dette haster.
Awesome! I’d like to visit!
Dette er så bra! Takk for et fantastisk tiltak.
He is incredible artist ! With mistery of the soul